§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) with reference to his statement in August last that, owing to a certain decision in the Courts, the Foreign Office were looking into the circumstances surrounding diplomatic immunity, he can now make any statement as to what has been done in this matter;
(2) whether, as a result of his last communication with foreign representatives in this country with a view to the correction of the information contained in the diplomatic immunity list, any reduction has been made in the numbers on this list?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINI will answer these questions together. The decision to which the hon. Member refers involves no new doctrine, but shows the necessity of a strict application in future of the principle that all persons entitled to diplomatic privilege must be employed directly by the head of the Mission and be under his orders in his diplomatic capacity. I do not propose to address any general communication to the foreign representatives in London on this subject. Representations will be made in any cases in which such action is considered necessary, with the view of giving due effect to the principle which I have mentioned. All names communicated by heads of Missions for inclusion in the Diplomatic List have been carefully scrutinised for some time past and this practice, which has already produced certain results in the desired direction, will be maintained.